50 Free Washington, DC Attractions

Daniel French Drive and Independence Avenue, SW. Washington, DC. Our nation honors those who were killed, captured, wounded or remain missing in action during the Korean War (1950 -1953). Nineteen figures represent every ethnic background. The statues are supported by a granite wall with 2,400 faces of land, sea and air support troops. A Pool of Remembrance lists the names of the lost Allied Forces.

16th & Pennsylvania Ave., NW (across from the White House), Washington, DC. The seven-acre park provides a prominent arena for public protests, ranger programs and special events. Buildings surrounding the park include the White House, the Old Executive Office Building, the Department of the Treasury, Decatur House, Renwick Gallery, The White House Historical Association, Hay-Adams Hotel and The Department of Veterans Affairs.

101 Independence Ave, SE, Washington, DC. The world’s largest library contains more than 128 million items including books, manuscripts, films, photographs, sheet music and maps. Visitors can explore the library and navigate books through page-turning technology and learn how America’s greatest thinkers were inspired.

23rd St. NW, Washington, DC. The memorial is one of Washington, DC's top attractions and occupies a prominent space on the National Mall. It is a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln, who fought to preserve our nation during the Civil War, from 1861-1865. The Lincoln Memorial has been the site of many famous speeches and events since its dedication in 1922.

Independence Ave. at 7th St. SW Washington, DC. NASM displays the largest collection of air and spacecraft in the world. Visit here and learn about the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight. There are IMAX films and planetarium shows several times a day.

700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Washington, DC. The National Archives and Records Administration stores and provides public access to the original documents that set up the American government as a democracy in 1774. See the United States Government's Charters of Freedom, the U. S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence.

401 F Street NW Washington, DC. The museum examines America's architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning. Exhibits include photographs and models of buildings in Washington, DC and offer insight into the history and future of our built environment. The museum offers a variety of educational programs and special events, including informative lectures, interesting demonstrations and great family programs.

Wisconsin & Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC. The Cathedral is an impressive structure, English Gothic in style, with exquisite architectural sculpture, wood carving, gargoyles, mosaics, and more than 200 stained glass windows. The top of the Gloria in Excelsis Tower, the highest point in Washington, DC offers dramatic views of the city. The grounds include beautiful gardens and a gift shop.

7th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Washington, DC's most popular attraction for art lovers is a world-class museum that displays one of the largest collections of masterpieces in the world including an international collection of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, and decorative arts from the 13th century to the present. A six-acre sculpture garden includes 17 major sculptures by internationally renowned artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Mark di Suvero, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, and Tony Smith. Free jazz concerts are held in the garden on Friday evenings during the summer months.

17th and M Sts. NW Washington, DC. The high-tech exhibit hall houses exhibits that explore nature and human cultures around the world through spectacular photography and interactive displays. The National Geographic Museum is a small museum that appeals to all ages and takes about an hour to visit.